Slideshow: Pope Benedict XVI and Thomas Aquinas College

Thomas Aquinas College has long held His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in great esteem, dating back to his time as the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In 2008 Pope Benedict personally blessed the cornerstone of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel and, in gratitude, his coat of arms is inlaid in the marble of the Chapel’s central aisle.

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Former Ambassador to the Holy See and College Governor William A. Wilson presents President and Mrs. Dillon to then-Cardinal Ratzinger in 1997.

Slideshow: Pope Benedict XVI and The College

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Pope Benedict blesses the plans for Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel in 2006.

Slideshow: Pope Benedict XVI and The College

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The Holy Father with the Very Rev. John M. Berg, F.S.S.P. (’93), Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter

Slideshow: Pope Benedict XVI and The College

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Anne Marie (Ferri ’00) Grumbine with three of her children at a papal audience in December, 2006.

Slideshow: Pope Benedict XVI and The College

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Newlyweds Andrea and James Campbell (’01) meet the Holy Father in 2007.

As an expression of gratitude, the College inlaid the Holy Father’s coat of arms in the marble floor of the Chapel’s central aisle, just outside the sanctuary.

Slideshow: Pope Benedict XVI and The College

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Dr. John R. Mortensen (’97) receives the Prize of the Pontifical Academies from His Holiness in 2010.

Slideshow: Pope Benedict XVI and The College

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Matthew Valliere (’05) and his wife, Teresa, meet Pope Benedict during their honeymoon in 2010.

Slideshow: Pope Benedict XVI and The College

The slideshow above features key moments in the relationship between the College, its alumni, and our Holy Father:

“Pope Benedict XVI has been a great 21st century leader of the Roman Catholic Church,” says President Michael F. McLean. “He is an outstanding theologian and a saintly man, beloved by Catholics from around the world. We are sorry about his resignation, and we pray that he will regain his strength and health in his remaining time with us. We are confident in the Holy Spirit’s guidance of the Church and that in His providence another excellent Pope will be chosen.”